The Tombstones

Text by Al Walker.
Original article appeared in the owen sounder.

The Tombstones. What a great name for a group. Dark, sinister, conjuring images of death. Parents would hate it and the kids would love it. A requirement of any great band. Combined with the two black hearses as their calling cards, the band had a terrific package. And boy could they play - and play they did from 1966-1969.
In 1965 "The Dictions" was a commercial rock band in Owen Sound. This early rendition of the Tombstones was Dave Fearnall (keyboards), Dave Clark (drums), Bob Watson (guitar), Arnold Clark (guitar), Alf Dale (guitar) George Dahmer (bass), Neil Robb (Glenn) (vocals) and friend Dave Cripps - who came up with the name "Tombstones" - and Bill Murdoch (manager).
A drummer was needed to fill Dave Clark's spot. Dennie Scott was invited to audition. Dennie would be head boy at OSCVI one day and he could drum. He also brought his cousin Jim Wayner to the audition, which was to forever change the group.
Jim was an aspiring drummer but not as good as Dennie, and when they went to the audition and Dennie had landed the spot as drummer. The story goes that Jim started fooling around with the mike, hamming it up, impersonating singers and jumping around. The band was so impressed that they hired Jim as well.
The Tombstones were ready for their first jobs. The lineup now was: Neil Robb (Glenn), Jim Wayner (vocals), George Dahmer, Arnie Clark, Bob Watson, Dennie Scott (drums), Dave Fearnall and another new addition Ted Graper (sax).
With the addition of Jim Wayner the focus became clear: the band would have a R&B slant. Material by Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett suited Jim's energy and style. Jim quickly became the talk of the town with his acrobatics and showmanship. His trademark was jumping off stage and hitting the floor doing the splits.
With a couple of lineup changes in 1967, Neil Robb (Glenn) departed, Arnie Clark hung up the guitar, Bob Watson likewise and the addition of Dan Rouse (guitar) the band was in it's heyday.
In following years Chris Georgas and Ian Glenn would also compliment the horn section.
When playing an outside show, the hearses would flank the stage, a coffin would be located nearby (occasionally someone would jump out) mix in Jim's antics and showmanship, combined with hard driving R&B, and the Tombstones were a force on the local and Ontario music scene.
The Owen Sound Herald January 13, 1966: "The Tombstones are getting better! No foolin' they are developing a real nice style that the kids in Owen Sound obviously go for." "Jim never ceases to amaze the crowd with singing and dancing.", from the Toronto Township News-Review Apr. 5, 1967.
In the summers The Tombstones would headline the Sauble Beach Pavilion or be the opening act for bands such as the Ugly Ducklings, Shawn & Jay Jackson & the Majestics or George Oliver & the Mandella.
Of all the places the band played one place seems to stick out, Bracebridge. The band was booked to play at a teen dance at a converted YMCA. After the Tombstones had arrived and set up they noticed some older looking types with robes and blue jeans. When questioned the reply was "all my brothers dress the same" "Why would your family dress like that?" the boys questioned. "Because we are Anglican Priests" was the reply.
After the dance the band was invited to spend the night at the monestary, the problem was they had some after work beverages. "No problem" the priests replied "we like to drink too".
The band spent the night, and rose with the bells at six a.m. for breakfast with the priests. They all sat at a 30 foot table and had to remain silent (tough for Bill as the story goes). They played the Sunday church service as well.
Marty's place was a turning point for the band and not a good one! Marty's Place was a TV show featuring live groups from southwestern Ontario. The boys recorded their session at the TV studios and to them it sounded great, but when they saw it later at home it was bad. Real bad. The engineer had used only one microphone on the PA column to record the the group.
Bill Murdoch had given up his day job at Edwards in July of 1967 to promote The Tombstones full-time. By early 1969 Bill was forced to re-enter the work force. Ian McFall took over management of the band which was quickly taking on water. Dave Fearnall, with his arrangements, sweeping leslie and thick chords left the band, Ted Draper's sax was also gone.
The bands last hurrah was playing at the Hawk's Nest in Toronto, but unfortunately fame sidestepped this great Owen Sound band.

James Wayner comments...
"I went out with my friend Scotty to watch him audition for a band we knew nothng about. We both wanted to be drummers. He got the job and I was depressed because now he had a band and I didn't. We started jamming and I grabbed a microphone and start to sing the what I thought was the blues. I never sang before in my life. Well guess what? They decided to have two singers in the band. Wow my first band and boy was it fun. From there on I never looked back! *wink*. We have had two reunions so far, which were complete sell outs. There wasn't too many places we didn't play in Ontario, Canada. GREAT memories and great times. Thanks guys!!!"

Jim Wayner passed away in 2007.